ADDRESS 

FROM  TB& 

Presbytery  of  orang& 

TO  TK3 

CHURCHES  UNDER  THEIR  CAfl£> 

•  IT  THI  SUBJECT  Ot 

EDUCATING  POOR  AND  PIOUS  YOXJTfcJ 
GOSPEL  MINISTRY. 


^MINTED  BY  WILLIAM  BQTLlty 
^306} 


T-6ff  Presbytery  of  Orange,  In  North- Carolina,  to  the  Chur- 
ches under  their  care,  and  to  oil  others,  with  grace,  mer- 
cy and  peace  Jro>n  God  the  Pother,  fr*m  t/14  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  from  the  Dtvlne  Spirlh 

Dear  Brethren 

It  has  been,  for  many  years,  a  fource  of  growing 
concern  with  numerous  friends  of  our  Church,  that 
the  interefts  of  religion  among  us  are  greatly  iuffering 
for  want  of  an  additional  fupply  of  pious,  faithful,  and 
able  Minifterg  of  the  Gofpel.  It  is  well  known  that 
many  parts  of  our  itate  has  long  been  wholly  deftitute 
of  Evangelical  inflruclion;  that  thcfe  parts  in  which 
congregations  are  regularly  formed,  have  been  inade- 
quately fupplied  with  the  means  of  grace  and  Spiritu- 
al improvement;  that  the  population  of  our  country 
is  rapid iy  increafing,  and  that  new  churches,  in  quick 
fucceflion  have  been  rifing  into  view  ;  while  the  num- 
ber of  our  Minifters  has  been  but  flowly  enlarged,  and 
is  altogether  incommenfurate  with  the  growing  de- 
mand for  their  fervices.  This  deficiency  has  become 
ferious  and  alarming.  Important  congregations  which 
have  long  enjoyed  the  miniftrations  of  the  Gofpel, 
when  they  become  vacant,  have  been  with  the  utmoO: 
difficulty  fupplied  with  pafiors.  Large  diltricls,  with- 
in the  bounds  of  old  fettlements,  in  which  CBuTcfaes 
might  eafily  be  planted,  and  where  Ministers  would 
meet  with  a  cordial  welcome,  are  lying  wade  for  want 
of  their  labours ;  and  more  than  one  thoufand  congre- 
gations, on  the  extenfive  frontier  of  the  Untied  States, 
as  wefl  informed  perlbns  have  affened,  are  able  and 


( 4 ) 

willing  tofupport  fpiritual  teachers,  but  cry  for  them 
in  ?ain. 

A  deficiency  fo  long  deplored,  and  fo  evidently 
growing,  has  a!  length  engaged  the  ferious  attention 
of  the  fupreme  judicatory  of  <*>ur  Church.  The  Ge- 
neral AiTembly,  at  their  lafl  fefiions,  received,  and  di- 
rected ihe  publication  of  an  interesting  Overture  on 
this  iuhject.  This  Overture,  after  ftating  in  flrong 
and  affecting  language,  the  deficiency  complained  of, 
recommends  that  exertions  be  made  by  the  refpective 
Prefbyteries  to  remedy  the  evii.  It  propofes  that  each 
Prefbytery  mould  undertake  to  look  out  for  the  raoft 
piomifing  characters  among  the  pious  youth  within 
its  knowledge ;  to  conduct  thofe  who  may  be  fele£U 
ed  through  their  academical  and  theological  ftudies  | 
and,  during  this  courfe,  to  furnifh  them  with  tha 
means  of  fupport,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  as  their 
circumftances  may  require,  and  as  the  rei'ources  of 
the  Prefbytery  may  render  practicable. 

The  Prefbytery  of  New-York  having  taken  this 
rerture  of  the  AfTembly  into  ferious  confideration, 
have  refolyed  to  adopt  the  plan  which  it  recom- 
mends. 

The  Prefbytery  of  Orange,  animated  by  a  flrong 
folicitude  to  do  what  is  in  their  power  in  promoting 
an  object  fo  full  of  Chriftian  love,  and  piows  concern 
for  the  extenfion  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  have 
refolved  at  their  laft  feftion,  to  conform  without  de- 
lay to  the  benevolent  directions  they  have  received 
from  the  General  AfTembly,  and  to  imitate  fo  worthy 
an  example  as  has  been  exhibited  by  their  brethren 
of  New-York.  In  addreffing  themfelves  to  the  con- 
gregations which  are  under  their  charge,  and  to  o- 


thers  who  may  be  difpofed  to  favor  their  willies,  ther 
havethought  it  proper  to  adopt  the  language  of  their 
brethren,  than  -which  they  can  find  none  more  appro- 
priate, or  more  fully  to  exprefs  the  objecl  and  the  mo- 
tives of  their  determination.  In  the  execution  of  this 
plan  they  are  fenfible  that  much  prudence,  circum- 
fpe£lion  and  watchfulnefs  will  be  neceffary ;  and  they 
cannot  be  fo  unreafonable  as  to  hope  that  an  under- 
taking of  fuch  magnitude  will  be  unattended  with  dif- 
ficulty. But  deeply  aixecled  with  the  preffing  exigen- 
cies of  the  Church ;  and  convinced  that  the  delay  of 
even  a  Tingle  year  may  prove  injurious  to  its  belt  in- 
terefts,  they  cannot  forbear  to  go  forward.  In  the 
name  of  Him  who  is  fet  as  King  upon  the  holy  hill  of 
Zion,  they  lift  up  their  banner;  in  his  grace  and 
ftrength  they  confide  for  fuccefs ;  and  to  thofe  who 
loye  his  caufe  they  look  for  encouragement  and  aid. 

To  facilitate  the  accomplishment  of  their  objecl:,  the 
Prefbytery  contemplate  the  appointment  of  a  Stand- 
ing Committee  of  Miiiiftfers  and  Elders,  whofe  du- 
ty it  mall  be  to  look  out  for  young  men—to  examine 
their  qualifications — to  fuperintend  their  academick 
inftruction— to  direel  their  theological  ftudies— and, 
in  general,  to  do  ail  thofe  things  which  may  be  necef- 
fary for  complenng  their  education.  This  Commit- 
tee is  to  be  annually  renewed  ;  and,  in  all  its  proceed- 
ings is  to  aft  under  the  direction  of  the  Prefbytery. 

This  method  of  introducing  young  men  into  the* 
Gofpel  Miniftry  will,  it  is  believed,  be  attended  with 
important  advantages.  Chofen  and  educated  by  the 
Prefbytery,  they  will  be  conftantly  under  its  infpe&i- 
on  and  control.  Known  to  the  Minifters  and  congre- 
gations belonging  to  the  judicatory,  a  more  than  or- 


oinary  intercfl  will  be  taken  in  their  fupport,  charac- 
ter, and  ufefulnefs.  And  the  youth  thus  felecteJ  and 
cherifhed  will  feel  an  additional  responsibility,  and  a 
peculiar  excitement  to  gratify  the  juft  expectations  of 
their  patrons  and  benefactors.  Nor  is  it  a  point  of 
fmall  importance,  that  while  individuals  and  congre- 
gations will  be  called  upon  to  furnifh  the  means  of 
Supporting  this  fyftem  of  education,  it  will  lie  with 
them,  either  personally,  or  by  their  representatives, 
to  direct  the  manner  in  which  their  pious  liberality 
(hall  be  appropriated. 

For  defraying  the  large  expenfes  which  mufl  necef- 
furily  be  incurred  in  the  execution  of  this  plan,  the 
Prefbyrery  rely  on  annual  collections  in  the  Churches 
under  their  care — the  liberality  of  wealthy  and  charit- 
able individuals— and  the  bequeR-S  of  thofe  who  may 
be  inclined  to  remember  this  object  in  their  laft  wills, 
Thefe  Sources  of  revenue,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  increas- 
ingly productive  when  the  nature  and  importance  of 
our  undertaking  Shall  be  generally  underfiood ;  and 
cfpecially  when  it  is  confidered,  that  if  f  unable  en- 
couragement be  afforded,  there  is  every  human  prof- 
pect  of  the  mofl  gratifying  fuccefs. 

Having  thus,  dear  brethren,  laid  before  you  the  plan 
fuggefted  by  the  General  ASTembiy,  and  on  which,  af- 
ter mature  deliberation,  we  have  refolved  to  aft,  we 
muft  entreat  your  concurrence  and  aid  in  its  executi- 
on. We  aft  for  your  prayers  and  your  pecuniary  af- 
fiftancf  J  Without  liberal  contributions  it  will  be  im- 
polfible  to  conduct  our  undertaking  either  with  vigor 
or  fuccefs.  The  arguments  which  adilrefs  themfelves 
to  yc ■  v  liberality  are  of  the  moft  sntexefting  and  So- 
lemn kind.   As  the  friends  of  vital  religion,  you  can- 


p 


not  be  fuppofed  cither  to  forget  or  to  difregard  thfi 
importance  of  the  Chriftian  Miniftry,  to  yourfeives^ 
to  your  families,  to  your  country,  and  to  the  Churcli 
of  God.   But  we  wifh  you  to  be  diftinctly  apprized, 
that  without  prompt  and  vigorous  meafures  to  add  to 
the  number  of  our  pious  and  faithful  Minifters,  the: 
beft  interefts  of  our  Church,  in  all  probability,  muft 
deplorably  languHh.    Many  congregations,  now  large 
and  promifmg,  rauft  fall  into  decay  and  diffolution  ; 
and  thoufands  of  immortal  fouls,  now  crying  for  help;, 
mud  be  left  to  perifli  for  lack  of  knowledge.    Ye  who 
lore  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  in  finceriry!  in  contem- 
plating fuch  an  awful  alternative,  is  not  your  tender- 
eft  companion  excited— your  holy  emulation  roufed 
—your  zeal  inflamed  —and  your  love  to  the  Redeem- 
er's kingdom  called  into  lively  and  beneficent  action  ? 
To  be  unaffected  with  fuch  melancholy  profpecli, 
would  betray  an  infenfibility  of  which  you  cannot  be 
fufpc&ed.  To  repofe  in  floth  when  there  is  fo  much 
to.be  done,  is  unworthy  of  thofe  whoconfider  then:- 
felyes  as  not  their  own,  but  bought  with  a  price,  and 
bound  to  glorify  God  in  their  bodies  and  fpirits,  which 
are  his. 

In  this  benevolent  undertaking,  we  entertain  no 
doubt  that  cur  Sifter  Prelbyteries  will  cordially  and 
zealoufly  co-operate  with  us;  The  caH  for  exertion 
is  fo  loud  and  foleinn,  that  it  is  beginning  to  be 
heard  by  all  our  judicatories,  and,  we  hope  will  fpee- 
di!y  produce  a  "general  movement"  of  the  Preiby- 
terian  Church  in  the  United  States.  And  ii  ir  mould 
pleafe  the  great  Head  of  the  .Church  to  fmil'e  upon 
our  united  efforts,  by  opening  the  hearts  of  Christi- 
ans to  dtvlsc  liberal  things — by  ftrengthening  our  hatida 


in  the  arduous  enterprise—and  by  crowning  our  eri* 
deavors  with  fuccefs,  what  happy  refult  may  we  not 
anticipate  ?  May  we  not  hope  that  the  exertions  now 
commenced  will  form  a  new  and  glorious  era  in  the 
hiftory  of  our  Church  ; — that  the  humble  beginning 
now  contemplated  will  prove  the  means  of  fending 
hundreds,  and  even  thcufands  of  paftors  to  hunger-* 
Ing  and  thirfting  fouls— and  that  generations  yet  un- 
born will  have  reafon  to  rife  up  and  call  you  blefled  ? 

To  Pious  Young  Men. 

We  feel  an  earned  defire  to  call  your  attention  to 
this  important  object.   You  are  now  juft  entering' 
on  the  ftage  of  action,  and  have  arrived  at  an  age 
when  you  muft  fhortly  choofe  fome  profeflion ibr-life. 
"You  have  often  looked  around  you,  with  an  anxiety 
infeparable  from  piety,  and  have  enquired  how  you 
could  beft  employ  the  powers  which  God  Greated — 
the  rational  fouls  which  Chriit  redeemed — to  the  ho- 
nour of  your  Father  and  Savior  ?   You  have  but  one 
life  to  live,  and  how  lhall  that  life  be.  fpeni  moft  to 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  happinefs  of  men  ?  T  hefc* 
quellions,  which  have  often  arifen  amidit  your  pious 
meditations,  muft,  in  a  little  time,  be- decided.   The  ' 
object  of  this  Addrefs  is  to  fuggeft  fome  considerati- 
ons which  may  afTiit  you  in  forming  the  great  deci- 
iion. 

Has  it  ever  occurred  to  you,  that  it  may  perhaps  be 
the  will  of  God  to  employ  you  in  the  miniihy  of  mV 
Son  I  Is  this  a  new  thought  I  Yet  let  it  not  be  difmificd 
as  too  extravagant  to  deferve  attention.  Place  it  dif- 
thctly  before  your  minds*  and  examine  it  on  ever/ 
Mc.  The  Church  needs,  more  than  fiie  needs  anj 


(  9  ) 

thing-except  larger  fupplies  of  the  divine  Spirit,  ma- 
ny evangelical  and  apoftoiic  men  added  to  the  num* 
ber  of  her  prefent  Clergy.  If  thole  men  are  found, 
they  mud  be  found  among  youth  of  your  fpirit.  On- 
ly fueh  as  you  can  fupply  materials  for  future  Minif- 
fers,  fuch  as  the  interefi  of  the  Church  requires,  fuch 
as  her  neceflities  pr  effing  ly  demand.  For  want  of 
fuch  Mini  Hers  3  immortal  fouls  are  perlfhing,  in  our 
land  by  thcufands,  in  our  world  by  millions.  Let  the 
thought  intereff  and  and  affect  your  hearts,  that  the 
bleffed  Savior,  who  requires  your  fervice,  has  pafled 
by  other  youth  and  fet  his  love  on  you.  By  diitm- 
guifhing  grace  he  has  feparated  you  from  your  former 
companions ;  and  while  they  are  left:  in  fin  and  end- 
lefs  ruin,  he  has  given  your  title  to  the  inheritance 
of  the  faints  in  light— and  all  this,  that  you  might 
poffefs  the  fpirit  necelfary  to  qualify  you  for  the  Gof- 
pel  Mini  ft  ry.  Why  have  you  thus  been  diftinguifhed 
and  qualified  ?  Is  it  not  that  you  might  devote  your* 
felves  to  this  facred  work  ?  And  what  hinders  you 
from  fharing  this  glory  ?  You  poffefs  the  firft  and 
mod  effential  qualification ;  and  provifions  are  now 
about  to  be  made,  we  hope  on  an  extenfive  fcale,  for 
carrying  you  through  a  courfe  of  academical  and 
theological  flu  dies.  There  is  a  fair  profpect,  that 
fuch  of  you  as  poffefs  refpe&able  natural  talents,  may 
become  Ministers,  and  ufeful  Miniilers,  if  you  are 
difpofed  to  embrace  the  opportunity.  Let  this  qucf- 
tion  then  engage  your  deep  and  folemn  confideration : 
To  what  other  purfuit  do  fo  many  and  fo  facred  mo- 
tives foHcit  you  ?  Standing  as  you  now  do  on  the 
point  of  choofing  a  profeflion,  whom  will  you  ft-  up 
for  your  e*a:r:?te  i  Can  a  better  be  found  umx  the 

s 


(  10  ) 

Lord  Jcfus  Chiift  ?  That  augufl  Perfonagt  lancd 
the  period  of  human  life  on  tint  earth,  and  took  a 
part  in  she  active  fecnes  of  men.   And  to  what  pro- 

fcCion  did  he  devote  himfelf  ?  '  To  that  of  preaching 
the  evenafiing  Gofpel  to  perifiring  men.  Supported 
by  the  unequivocal  declaration  or  fuch  an  example, 
may  we  not  confidently  pronounce,  that  human  life 
can  be  fperit  in  no  manner  fo  defirablc,  fo  ncble,  fo 
godlike,  as  in  the  labours  of  the  Gofpel  Miniftry  ? 
We  arc  aware,  that  our  Saviour  is  not  to  be  held  up 
as  an  example,  in  this  refp'ecl,  to  *//  men,  fince  it  is 
cbvious  that  all  cannot  fulfcain  the  Pafioral  office;  but 
we  are  firmly  perfuaded,  that  while  fuch  an  example 
fhows  the  luperior  importance  of  the  Gofpel  Minif- 
try, it  ought,  under  the  prefent  neceilities  of  the 
Church,  to  have  a  binding  influence  upon  young  men 
who  pMIefs  piety  and  talents,  and  other  qualifications 
for  the  tacred  work, 

tn  what  other  way  cm  the  powers  cf  the  foil1  be  fo 
circcYiy  applied  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
Left  hitetfefts  of  men?  The  Gofpel  Miniitry  it  the 
principal  mean  appointed  by  heaven  to  advance  the 
n  ueft  happfeefs  of  rrien  on  earth,  and  their  glory  be- 
5  ond  the  grave  Thofe  w  ho  cond ucl  the  interefb,  and 
decide  im  fate  of  nations,  have  it,  indeed,  in  their 
power  to  confer  important  benefits  cn  the  world, 
'i  hofewhefe  prcfelTional  bufrnefs  it  is  to  defend  the 
property  and  lives  of  men — thofe  who  fill  the  feats  of 
jjflice—  thoie  who  practice  the  healing  art—all  claim 
ouV  lefpect  and  gratitude.  But  in  no  employment 
can  men  render  fuch  eftenilal  and  eminent  fervice 
to  the  human  race,  as  in  a  courie  or  minifteriai  la- 
Louri,  ai:pgin:ed  Dy  God  to  pluck  immortal  fpirits 


us  brands  from  everlailing  burnings,  to  prepare  them 
for  the  happinefs  of  heaven,  and  to  promote  that 
grand  caufe  for  which  the  world  was  made,  for  which 
the  world  was  redeemed,  for  which  the  world  is  pre- 
ferved  and  governed.  Could  any  one  of  you  be  the 
Infframent  of  faving  a  fingle  foul,  he  would  achieve 
infinitely  more  than  by  fubferving  the  convenience  of 
men  in  the  mechanic  arts ;  by  fettling  any  qucilions 
relating  to  temporal  eftates ;  or  by  conquering  and  go- 
verning nations.  Could  anyone  oi  you  he  favored  with 
as  much  ufefulnefs  to  the  Church  as  falls  to  the  lot  of 
many  faithful  Minifters,  he  migh!  enjoy  the  thought 
of  having  beef)  the  inuYrunjent  of  refcuing  hundreds 
from  eternal  woe,  and  railing  them  to  everlafting 
joys.  Gaffing  the  eye  down,  the  ages  of  eternity, 
what  an  incalculable  amount  of  happinefs  will  he 
have  been  the  means  of  producing  !  Tranfport  your- 
felves  for  a  moment  to  the  folemnities  of  the  final 
judgment.  Behold  a  band  of  bleffed  fpirits,  redeem- 
ed from  death  by  your  mftrurnentality,  ihouung  fa!- 
ration,  and  taking  in  the  profped  of  immortal  joy, 
who  otherwile  would  have  been  crying  to  rocks  and 
to  mountains  to  cover  them— behold  them  cording 
to  embrace  you  to  pour  their  thanks  int  your  bo- 
fom,  and  to  bend  with  ynu,  adoring  at  the  throne  f 
God  !  -  u  hat  are  now  che  emotions  of  y^ur  feufsf 
Would  the  glitter  of  wealth,  or  the  glory  of  empire 
have  filled  you  with  j^y  like  this?  In  the  light  of 
the  final  judgment,  the  importance  of  ail  o?h-r  em- 
ployments is  lott  in  companion  with  the  Goipel  Mi* 
niflry,  as  time  is  fvvaliowed  up  in  eternity. 

Confider  further,  that  this  biefTed  work  will  fut> 
•nifh  you  with  tkc  bed  means  oi  your  owft  ^nctificati- 


(  is  ) 

on  and  fpmtual  enjoyment.   Engaged  ardently  and 
affectionately  in  this,  every  day  will  bring  you  the  de- 
lights of  a  holy  fabbath ; — and,,  in  the  room  of  other 
toils,  the  labour  of  your  life  will  be  in  thofe  ftudies 
which  open  the  wonders  of  God  to  the  mind,  and  in 
thofe  pleating  exercifes  which  Other  Chriftians  are 
thankful  for  being  permitted  to  enjoy  one  day  in  fe- 
ven.   Such  a  manner  of  life  cannot  fail  to  advance 
your  prefent  peace,  and  to  give  a  brighter  luftre  to 
your  immortal  crown— a  crown  in  which  every  foul, 
redeemed  from  death  by  your  means,  mall  conftitute  a 
new  and  fptendid  jewel.   An  hundred  ages  hence 
fou  will  blefs  God  for  having  increafed  the  glory  of 
S'our  eternity,  by  putting  you  into  the  ^Vliniftry  of  his 
Son.  Grand  and  delightful  is  that  promife,  77;??/  that 
turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever 
ami  ever* 

Urged  by  all  thefe  motives,  come— we  affection- 
a'ely.  invite  you  to  come,  and  take  part  with  us  in  the 
MiuUiry  of  the  grace  of  God.  The  example  of  Chrift 
invites  you  to  come  —the  tears  of  bereaved  Churches* 
who  can  find  none  to  break  unto  them  the  bread  of 
life,  plead  with  you  to  come — themiferies  of  wander- 
ing fouls,  who  find  none  to  lead  them  to  heaven, 
prefl  ycu  to  come.  Come  then,  and  take  part  with 
us  in  the  labours  and  rewards  of  the  Minjffcry  of  re- 
conciliation ! 

We  conclude,  with  a  fliort  addrefs 

To  Pious  Parents* 

Who  among  you  have  any  Sons  to  devote  to  Chrift 
for  the  ferviceof  his  fan&uary?  "Who  among  yom 
have  -any  young  Samuels,  the  children  of  prayer. 


(  13  ) 

whom  you  have  lent  unto  the  Lord  with  ardent  de- 
fires,  that  as  long  as  they  live  they  may  be  the  Lord's  ? 
Can  you  better  difpofe  of  them  than  by  training  them 
up  for  rhe  Gofpel  Miniftry,  to  bear  the  veilels  of  Him 
to  whofe  fervice  you  have  folemnly  confecrated  them 
in  baptifm?  Would  it  not  fill  you  with  fubiime  joy 
to  know  that  you  had  brought  children  into  the 
world  to  be  the  inftruments  of  large  acceffions  to  the 
aiFembly  of  the  redeemed,  to  the  everlafting  kingdom 
of  Meffiah  ?  When  a  numerous  company  of  ceieftial 
fpirits  fhould  hail  you  as  the  bleffed  parents  of  the 
beloved  inftruments  of  their  falvation,  would  you  not 
f  eel  greater  joy  than  you  would  hare  done  in  behold- 
ing yaur  fons  feated  on  earthly  thrones,  encircled 
with  the  wreaths  of  fame  ?  If  you  love  your  pious 
fons,  give  them  to  the  Church,  and  increafe  their 
everlafting  happinefs.  If  you  love  your  Saviour, 
whofe  bowels  yearned  and  bled  for  you,  from  your 
own  bowels  give  him  Minifters— give  to  his  fervice 
thofe  whom  he  died  to  redeem,  to  foothe  and  comfort 
your  parental  hearts.  If  each  of  you  can  give  a  pious 
Minifter  to  the  Church,  the  whole  Church  will  have 
j-eafon  to  thank  God  for  your  exiftence,  and  you 
yourfelves  may  bleL  him  forever  that  you  have  not 
lived  in  vain. 

Brethren,  farewell.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift  be  with  your  fpirits !  Amen. 

Signed  by  Order  of  the  Presbytery. 

LEONARD  PRATHER,  Moderator, 
JAMES  H.  BOWMAN,  Clkkk. 


Burr  aloe,  Moore  County 
May  4>,  1806. 


t 


